Man Survives Chest Gunshot After Cross Necklace Deflects Bullet In Unbelievable Miracle
Twenty-year-old Aiden Perry was spending time at a friend’s apartment in Sumter County, Florida, on June 7 when the terrifying moment unfolded. According to reports, Perry’s friend was showing off a .40-caliber pistol when it suddenly fired, striking Perry in what authorities say appeared to be an accident.
The bullet entered Perry’s chest, passed through and exited near his armpit, before re-entering his body through his arm. The impact fractured his humerus bone, leaving him in excruciating pain and fighting for his life.
After the shooting, his friend rushed him straight to the emergency department at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. Medical teams wasted no time and immediately rushed him into surgery.
To everyone’s shock, the surgeons discovered that despite the bullet hitting his chest, none of his vital organs had been damaged. This realization left doctors amazed at just how narrowly he had escaped death.
“When we normally see these injuries, they’re usually devastating injuries. In Aidan’s case, he was fortunate enough where the bullet did not enter his chest wall – it ricocheted off the chain he was wearing.”
Experts believe the cross necklace Perry was wearing lay in precisely the right position to deflect the bullet’s direct course. The necklace was shattered in the process, splitting into two pieces, but it managed to redirect the bullet enough to stop it from causing catastrophic damage.
For Perry, learning how the necklace is believed to have saved his life has only strengthened his faith, giving him a new outlook on life and a deeper sense of gratitude.
While speaking to WESH2, Perry held up what was left of the broken necklace, saying: “I look at it as a lifesaver. I probably wouldn’t be talking to you guys right now [without it].”
His father, who had gifted him the chain as a Christmas present, also spoke about the incident. He firmly believes that faith played a central role in protecting his son and preventing what could have been a much worse outcome.
He now faces charges of culpable negligence causing injury, as authorities continue their investigation into the case.
